jam'n toast

This book meanders in the mundane, dwelling on the atmosphere of a dystopian world where memories are taken away. It is a surreal portrayal of the importance of memory, the loss of autonomy once we begin to forget and the dangers of passivity. I enjoyed the parallels to the story within the story and how though the ending is quite vague the themes are apparent, but the stylistic choice of ambiguity did leave me questioning the integral substance of the story. The ending made the decisions that pushed the narrative feel redundant; however, I believe that overall the story can be seen as contemplative and maybe with another read I'll uncover an interpretation I had not seen the first time around, on!y time will tell.

After having read the second book in the series, I have come to rethink my opinion on this book. At first I gave it two stars because there is a sense of passivity in Eilis' character, she felt detached even from the reader; so when she makes decisions that hurt those around her she becomes quite unlikable. However, I cannot disregard the fact that the author quite subtlety sets the foundation for what is to come in the second book. The pacing of this book doesn't feel slow but it manages to appear reserved, just like Eilis. I think this book reflects the diffident or uncertain nature of Eilis as she goes through the trials and tribulations of a life thrust upon her. Though there was a questionable scene that was irrelevant to the overall story, most of the story was quite compelling.

Her prose remind me of Marguerite Duras' writing, it is not exactly my cup of tea, but I cannot deny the thought provoking nature of this style of writing. I think the themes are so vivid and she brings so much tenderness and sincerity, it is a soulful story that resonated with me. Yoshimoto masterfully writes a seemingly simple story that carries so much spirit and hope.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book and the journey it took me on. I read this book because I had heard others praise it, but I didn’t really know much about the story. All I knew was what the synopsis vaguely mentions. While reading book one, I was a bit confused on how this book planned on covering such a small yet deep conflict in so many pages without overusing it. I was getting a bit weary and was just hoping the author wouldn’t drag it out. However, that small conflict was only the beginning, the catalyst, it was just the foundation and the set up to a much deeper and heart wrenching issue that the main character is dealing with.

This book feels as though, through whispers, someone is confiding in you about an untold life lived long ago, it is fragmented, dulcet and intimate. Her prose are reminiscent of an impressionist painting. It presents a stripped portrayal of form that exudes evocative and abstract imagery using the repetition of dappled memories that weave in and out of the writers consciousness, accentuating the dreamlike quality that memories often evoke.